Earls Colne Versus Maldon

Earls Colne Versus Maldon. Saturday 16 June at home.

Won the toss - field first - wet pitch - the toss happened after a 30 minute deluge - but frantic activity to get the cover on and off saved the pitch from being ruined.

Maldon - confident and cocky - but the rain came again after 2 overs. The cover came on again - and after the restart, Maldon showed they were really up for a game and continued positively - but Joe Smith made 2 breakthroughs in the first 15 overs - one good catch at mid-on low down by Will Clark and then the other opener perished to a powerful drive through long-on taken by Rob G. After that and a further lengthy rain delay from 48-1, Maldon struggled as tight bowling from Rob G and Tom K - who bowled 20 overs unchanged - saw regular wickets fall and them stuggle to 97 all out in 40 overs. Suddenly Maldon didn't fancy it as much! Colne had again undone a confident side with consistent, pressured bowling.

Colne's innings started ok however Gwyn was feeling dodgy and fell early. Duncan Clark joined Willy who picked off a rapid 21, supported by Duncan. Wickets them started to tumble - Duncan, Willy and David Brooker fell quickly to leave Colne under pressure at 47 for 4 - and Maldon fancied their chances again. Rob then stupidly and unnecessarily ran out Will Clark after a promising little flurry of runs chasing a second. Joe and Tom followed soon after leaving Colne reeling somewhat at 87 for 8 - still needing 11 more runs. Surely not another Bury St Edmunds give away! Steve Hard - drafted in from Gibson's address book came to the crease and calmly picked off singles and kept the bowling at bay. Rob (20 no) chipped a boundary through mid-wicket and that was that.........a bit of a struggle, but a GREAT match to have won!